Romania face Ukraine in the opening match of Group E at UEFA Euro 2024.
Victory would put either Romania or Ukraine top of Group E before Belgium face Slovakia in the teatime kick-off.
Team News
Romania have a full squad available for selection with no fresh injury concerns to report following their pair of goalless warm-up friendly draws against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.
Ukraine too have a full squad in contention following their 4-0 friendly win over Moldova, with Illya Zabarnyi, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Mykhailo Mudryk and Oleksandr Zinchenko amongst familiar names for English fans.
When is Kick-Off?
Romania meet Ukraine at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany, at 3pm CEST (2pm UK Time), live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Romania’s first clash against Ukraine at a major tournament.
- Ukraine are winless against Romania in all previous tournament competitions – having met twice at Cyprus International Tournament (D1, L1).
- Romania come into this match looking to avoid suffering three consecutive 0-0 draws for the first time since June – September 2015.
- Ukraine has scored in three of their four matches this year (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
With no wins so far in 2024 but having drawn three of their four friendlies, Romania certainly look like they will be difficult to break down defensively but they do have decent goalscoring threats in them to still make an impact at the opposite end of the pitch.
Ukraine meanwhile will start this game as favourites but they will need to be at their absolute clinical best and prepared to get creative to break Romania down, especially if the Romanians sit back and look to play on the counter.
Patience will also be important for Ukraine but I do fancy them to nick this otherwise this could well be a scrappy draw, particularly if Romania are difficult defensively to beat with a robust looking back line.
Prediction: Romania 0-1 Ukraine
Result: Romania 3-0 Ukraine
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